Spain won its second FIFA World Cup title after defeating defending champion Argentina 1-0 in extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
The victory secured Spain’s first World Cup triumph since its historic 2010 title and ended Argentina’s bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the men’s World Cup crown.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities throughout the match, Spain struggled to break through Argentina’s defence for much of the final. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez produced a standout performance, making a World Cup final-record 11 saves to keep Argentina level during regulation time.
However, Spain eventually found the breakthrough when Nico Williams headed the ball into the path of Torres, who fired a powerful finish past Martínez in the 106th minute.
“Honestly I did not think too much,” Torres said on the Fox broadcast after the game. “I just saw the ball coming to me and I shot with the power of all the Spanish people.”
Spain dominates as Argentina struggles to create chances
Spain registered 12 shots on target during the match, while Argentina failed to record a single shot throughout the 90 minutes of regulation. Consequently, the reigning champions spent much of the contest defending against sustained Spanish pressure.
Torres appeared to double Spain’s advantage later in extra time after finishing a counterattack, but officials ruled the goal out for offside by a narrow margin. Nevertheless, Spain held firm during the closing stages as Argentina finally created two late opportunities in search of an equaliser.
Argentina’s task became significantly more difficult after midfielder Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card, reducing the team to 10 players for the final 30 minutes. The dismissal followed a challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, who was sent tumbling.
Meanwhile, Argentina captain Lionel Messi was largely contained by Spain’s defence, finishing the final with 54 touches and just one shot.
Scaloni praises Spain after World Cup final defeat
Following the match, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged Spain’s performance while reflecting on his team’s difficult evening.
“We need to give the opponent the credit they deserve,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the game. “I would have loved to know what would have happened if we still had 11 men on the pitch. There were many obstacles tonight. The opponent played very well of course. … The substitutions we had to make were because of injuries, not because of tactical fine-tuning.”
“I already cried my heart out in the locker room,” he added. “That’s why I’m not crying now, but I do have to be thankful to this group, because they were warriors, and that is the truth. We competed against an amazing team.”
Spain’s victory crowns an impressive tournament campaign and restores the nation to the summit of world football, adding a second FIFA World Cup trophy to its 2010 triumph.